CABARETS IN PARIS

Parisian Cabarets are one of the most popular things to do in Paris at night. Because, YES! bars and nightclubs exist everywhere in the world but where else than in Paris can you find such a choice of quality cabaret shows?

If you are looking for the best cabaret in Paris to make the most out of Paris at night, our Cabarets in Paris Guide is made for you. Learn about French cabarets and burlesque shows, famous cabarets in Paris, cabaret tickets, and cabaret dress code. Paradis Latin, Lido, Moulin Rouge or Crazy Horse: what is the best cabaret show in Paris?

1- WHAT IS A CABARET? FRENCH CABARET & PARISIAN CABARET

Until the XIXth century, a cabaret in France was a place where food and drink were served, in front of which was often hung a sign with an ivy cork.

During the Belle Époque, cabarets in Paris turned into “cafés-concert”, with cheap prices affordable for all pockets. At that time, Parisian cabarets were places where people could forget about social barriers for a while and just have fun. Cabaret shows entertained all kind of public, from rich people to simple workers, with a play or show while they were eating or drinking. The atmosphere was festive, men could keep their hats on, and they used to drink and smoke all night long.

2- WHAT IS A CABARET SHOW IN PARIS TODAY

What is a Cabaret Show today? Today, striptease, burlesque shows, drag shows, nude shows, one man show or a solo vocalist with a pianist shows are often advertised as Cabaret Show in Paris. The truth is that only a few “old style” French cabarets like we described above remain in Paris. Today the most famous shows in Paris correspond to “music halls” or burlesque shows offering lavish musical and theatrical productions, with elaborate costumes, singing, and dancing. There is a stage for the show and the audience sitting at tables (often dining or drinking) watching the performance being introduced by a master of ceremonies. It is an evening of entertainment and fun. A Cabaret Show in Paris is traditionally served with champagne and cabaret dinner into an all-evening extravaganza but of course, you can also go only for the show. Parisian cabarets are a great way to enjoy Paris at night in style and a very popular option for special dates like birthdays, anniversaries, bachelor parties, Christmas or New Year’s Eve in Paris.

What is aBurlesque Show? A Burlesque Show is a humorous theatrical entertainment involving parody and sometimes extreme exaggeration. Burlesque comes from the Italian word “burla”, which means “joke”.

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3- LIDO CABARET PARIS – THE MOST SPECTACULAR

Le Lido de Paris is the most famous nightclub in the world and one of the most mythical establishments of Champs Elysées. Founded in 1946, Lido Cabaret Paris offers a traditional burlesque show composed of beautiful dancers dressed up in fantastic costumes. On stage, the legendary Bluebell Girls and the Lido Boys will entertain you with their songs, choreographies, and acrobatics. Le Lido show, Paris Merveilles, is a fantastic tribute to Paris, the City of Lights. Le Lido cabaret show is usually watched over dinner with friends and a glass of champagne.

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Le Lido Show “Paris Merveilles” – What to Expect

Le Lido “Paris Merveilles” show is about dancing, singing, can can girls, colorful costumes, and feathers. Lido Paris Merveilles is a joyful show full of glamour and bubbles, lots of bubbles.

4- LE PARADIS LATIN CABARET – LOCALS’ FAVORITE

Cabaret Paradis Latin was founded by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802. Located in the Latin Quarter, in the 5th Arrondissement of Paris, it was a very popular meeting place at that time with clients like Dumas or Balzac just to name a few. During the Franco-Prussian War, Le Paradis Latin was destroyed by a big fire and it was later rebuilt by Gustave Eiffel for the Universal Exhibition of Paris.

Le Paradis Latin Show Paradis à la Folie combines dance, circus, and magic, where everything reminds of the City of Light. Le Paradis Latin Cabaret is the Parisians’ favorite “cabaret de Paris”, probably because of its high-quality cabaret dinner and (lower) prices. If you want to enjoy Paris Like a Local, le Paradis Latin Paris is the best show in Paris for you. We love its fabulous Belle Époque room.

Cabaret Paradis Latin Show Options

PRO TIP: It is possible to book tickets for Le Paradis Latin Show only, without any meal. However, Viator has great offers show + dinner (check the links here below), usually cheaper than the show-only tickets bought trough Paradis Latin’s web!

5- LE CRAZY HORSE CABARET – L’ART DU NUDE

Le Crazy Horse Cabaret is the sexiest of cabarets in Paris. Their burlesque show Totally Crazy is an ode to feminine beauty, combining eroticism and sophistication. Indeed, the Cabaret Crazy Horse is the only cabaret show in which you can see naked female dancers that are actually only dressed in lights (and strategic strips of black tape). The Crazy Horse girls have perfect, lookalike bodies (when standing, the girls’ nipples and hips are all the same height) and perform innovative and delicate choreographies.

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Le Crazy Horse Paris Show “Totally Crazy” – What to Expect

This is a sexy and classy cabaret show where the Crazy Horse dancers execute superb choreographies and there is an amazing use of the song, dance, and special effects. What is clear is that you don’t come to le Crazy Horse Paris to see spectacular costumes and leathers ;-). Book your Crazy Horse tickets in advance.

Le Crazy Horse Cabaret Show Options

PRO TIP: There is no dining option inside Le Crazy Horse, Paris. However, Viator has a very attractive offer combining 2 quintessential things to do in Paris at night: le Crazy Horse Cabaret show + a high cuisine dinner in the famous brasserie Chez Francis, with amazing views over the Eiffel Tower!

6- MOULIN ROUGE PARIS – THE MOST FAMOUS

82, Boulevard de Clichy, Paris 18; M. Blanche, Line 2

Le Moulin Rouge Paris is the most famous cabaret in Paris and worldwide known. Its funky red building dominating Boulevard de Clichy, in Pigalle neighborhood, is one of the icons of Paris. Active since 1889, this Pigalle institution has developed a cabaret show impossible to replicate outside its doors. There is only one Moulin Rouge Cabaret and it’s in Paris. Moulin Rouge Show, Féerie, is an amazing show where the talented Doriss Dancers (I heard that most of them are Australians!) perform crazy choreographies with an incredible synchronization. Costumes are flamboyant (some great designers took part in their creation) with lots of feathers and bling-bling. As part of the dances, you will see the famous can can girls.

Did you know? 250 meters of tissue is necessary to produce the “frou-frou” skirt. We find the noun “froufrou” since the late 19th century: from French, imitative of the sound of a woman walking in a dress.

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Moulin Rouge Show “Féerie” – What to Expect

Moulin Rouge Cabaret Show is a magic and unforgettable show with a great atmosphere. There are amazing international attractions, can can girls and lots of bubbles. The place is a little bit cramped (some people may find it uncomfortable) but cramped spaces are also very Parisian! Book your Moulin Rouge tickets in advance.

7- LE LAPIN AGILE PARIS – THE MOST AUTHENTIC

22 Rue des Saules, Paris 18. M. Lamarck-Caulaincourt, Line 12

Located in the quintessential neighborhood of Montmartre, Le Lapin Agile is one of the few traditional cabarets in Paris still working in the city. This “Cabaret de Paris” consists of a little village house, easily recognizable from its sign (a rabbit jumping out of a saucepan). Le Lapin Agile is famous for being the center of bohemian Montmartre at the beginning of the XIXth century, with guests like Max Jacob or Pablo Picasso and Modigliani just to name a few. This Parisian establishment continues to display new talents and it is a place where you can have a good time. Le Lapin Agile is a popular option for those looking for an authentic cabaret experience and new artists come with pleasure to present their shows. That said, there is no translation or explanation for non-French speakers, just follow the music!

Le Lapin Agile Show – What to Expect

French songs, famous songs about Paris, music in general, and poetry. There is no micro, no lasers or feathers… it’s a Parisian traditional cabaret in a small space, with an important participation of the public who is invited to sing along.

Le Lapin Agile Cabaret Show Options

Drink and show cost 28€. There is no dinner option but there are plenty of restaurants around, in Montmartre. Space is limited inside the cabaret so bookings are essential. Send your booking request with names and date to infos@au-lapin-agile.com

8- CABARET DRESS CODE

Moulin Rouge, Paradis Latin, Crazy Horse, and Le Lido dress code could be defined as “elegant casual wear”. Jackets and ties are not mandatory but recommended. At Le Lapin Agile Cabaret, people can dress be more informal. Whatever cabaret you choose, avoid shorts, bermuda shorts, flip-flops, sportswear, and trainers.

9 – BEST CABARETS IN PARIS F.A.Q.

Moulin Rouge, Lido or Crazy Horse? These are our users’ F.A.Q that we try to answer here below:

Le Lido or Moulin Rouge Paris (Moulin Rouge vs Lido Paris)?

Le Lido vs Moulin Rouge is perhaps the eternal question. Both are great cabaret and burlesque shows, two of the best shows to see in Paris, and whatever you choose you won’t be wrong. If “price” is your main criteria, usually Lido ticket prices are slightly cheaper than Moulin Rouge tickets. Perhaps, you want to choose the cabaret for its location, close to your hotel? Lido Cabaret Paris is located in Paris 8 while Moulin Rouge Cabaret is located in Paris 18.

Crazy Horse or Moulin Rouge (Moulin Rouge vs Crazy Horse)?

These are two different kinds of cabaret shows and two different experiences. In Moulin Rouge, nude is very limited while in Crazy Horse the show is based on “l’art du nude”. Depending on what you want to see (nude show in Paris? can can girls?) you will choose Crazy Horse Paris or Moulin Rouge. Other criteria may be the dining option: the Crazy Horse Show does not include dining option whilst you can book the Moulin Rouge Show with or without dinner. If you hesitate between Moulin Rouge or Crazy Horse, we recommend checking our comparative table at the beginning of the post.

Lido or Crazy Horse (Crazy Horse vs Lido)?

These are two different kinds of cabaret shows and two different experiences. In Lido Paris, nude is very limited while in Crazy Horse the show is based on “l’art du nude”. Depending on what you want to see (nude show in Paris? can can girls?) you will choose Crazy Horse or Lido Paris. Other criteria may be the dining option: the Crazy Horse Show does not include dining option whilst you can book the Lido Show with or without dinner. We recommend checking our comparative table at the beginning of the post.

Moulin Rouge or Paradis Latin (Paradis Latin vs Moulin Rouge)?

The main difference in our opinion is the “price”, being Paradis Latin much cheaper. Also, Paradis Latin is more appreciated by locals, 71% of their guests are French (2011 data). Perhaps, you want to consider other things like their location or their cabaret dinner? What do you prefer: Pigalle or Quartier Latin?

Moulin Rouge Naked: is Moulin Rouge a Nude Cabaret Show?

In Moulin Rouge Show you can see naked ladies but it’s tastefully done. We don’t consider Moulin Rouge a nude show in Paris though. Beware that you will find nudity also in Louvre Museum, Orsay Museum and other museums in Paris, even male frontal! Aaah these cheeky Parisians…

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The author of the cabaret posters (Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec) died in 1901, so the pictures showing his artwork are in the public domain in their country of origin (France) and other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author’s life plus 80 years or less.

Megan Jerrard

12/20/2017 at 11:57 am

I love musical theatre and burlesque, so didn’t miss the opportunity when in Paris to visit Moulin Rouge. It was incredible! When I get back though I would love to take in a traditional Paris Cabaret, so have made a note of Au Lapin Agile- your comparison chart is really helpful. I love that it’s the most authentic – though might have to brush up on my French before I go!

WorldInParis

I want to try all of these! Le Crazy Horse and Moulin Rouge sound exceptional! I can’t believe Le Crazy Horse dresses the dancers in only lights. And, I love how many of these shows use bubbles in the performance!

Never been to a cabaret in Paris , although I have been to Paris a couple of times. I have heard they are great shows and produced with aesthetics in mind. I also remember there used to be a New Year Eve show of Crazy Horse or Lido (I forget which) that was televised live when we were living in Switzerland.

So many cabarets in Paris!!! Who knew that? At least the travel guides don’t mention. All I could plan of for my tour in Paris was ET, LM and DW and some street walking. This could have been worth experiencing.

This has to be the useful and informative post I have seen about the cabaret in Paris, For a first timer, this post has shown me so many alternatives. Moulin Rouge has been on my mind for a long time. But would surely consider the others as well. Problem of plenty!

WorldInParis

Very in depth, well-informed post. I had no idea cabarets where inclusive of so many different shows and genres. Useful tips for a trip to Paris, and how to chose among shows, clearly there is much more than Moulin Rouge!

I had no idea there were so many cabarets in Paris, or that they were so popular. Odd that I’ve not previously heard about or seen any write ups about this wonderful Paris option, I would definitely want to see one when I ‘one day’ scratch Visit Paris off my bucket list.

WorldInParis

12/17/2017 at 4:44 pm

Oh, this is just a small selection of what Paris can offer in terms of cabarets! I would recommend to see at least one 😉

I’ve been to Paris about 4 times and I have yet to see a cabaret show. There has to be something wrong with me. I definitely want to check out Moulin Rouge. It looks like to to be a be great show.

WorldInParis

12/17/2017 at 4:46 pm

Nothing wrong with you, Nathalie. Not all the people enjoy this kind of shows 😉

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